Joel Quarrington

Classical Double Bass tutor

Joel Quarrington is a Canadian double bassist, soloist and teacher. For over forty years, Joel has served as the principal double bassist for many renowned orchestras, including the London Symphony Orchestra, Canadian Opera Company, the Toronto Symphony and Canada’s National Arts Centre Orchestra. He is known for his extraordinary virtuosity and unique technique.

Joel began his double bass career by studying at the University of Toronto, where he received the ‘Eaton’ award for the most outstanding graduate. He has also received a Special Recognition Award for Outstanding Solo Performance and for Outstanding Orchestral Performance from the International Society of Bassists.

Joel is a professor at the Conservatoire de Musique of Montreal and also at McGill University, and a visiting artist at the Royal Academy of Music in London. He has been a guest teacher at schools all around the world, and he holds annual masterclasses in the summer at Quebec's Orford Arts Centre.

Joel Quarrington has spent years developing his unique and innovative approach to double bass technique, affectionately known as the Canadian School of Double Bass. His concepts have helped numerous students worldwide to play with effortless musicality. It’s not an exaggeration to say that he is one of the most influential and esteemed educators, so we are thrilled to present his groundbreaking work at Discover Double Bass.

The Joel Quarrington Method

This course is designed for ambitious double bassists who are looking to transform their technique. Joel Quarrington shares his unique approach to help you play advanced music with ease.

Joel presents these lessons with his bass in standard 4ths tuning (E, A, D, G), rather than his typical 5ths tuning, to make his teachings accessible to all.